Screw and Plate Removal from Chin, should I use a plastic surgeon or oral maxiofacial surgeon? Is this procedure difficult?

There is no risk of infection or any bone problems with removing chin hardware. It likely has some bone overgrowth on top of the hardware which can make its complete removal difficult in some cases. I would have a panorex x-ray done beforehand so the type of hardware can be seen. Your surgeon should have available a universal screwdriver set as there are man different types of screw heads that have been used over the years in maxillofacial bone fixation hardware. It is best to go to a surgeon who has done a lot of bony genioplasties as they have undoubtably put in a lot of these types of hardware.

Either a plastic surgeon or OMS would work. They just have to have the right tools. It might be wise but difficult  to get the system that was used 12 years ago so the surgeon knows which kind of specific tool to use.

Hi,This is not a difficult procedure and either specialty should be able to remove the hardware. Infection is unlikely. Julian

Either a plastic surgeon, or maxillofacial surgeon can perform this surgery for you. Make sure the physician you consult is experienced in the placement and removal of plates and screws (not every board certified surgeon mentioned above is...)The surgery is quite easy providing your hardware is not covered by "grown over" bone and the risk of infection would be extremely rare. The bone has by now healed very well and the bone should not "shift" after removal of the hardware. Try to obtain the operative notes from your genioplasty to document the type of hardware in place. The screw drivers needed are not universal and are system specific. This will help your surgeon be prepared with the proper tools. Good luck.